We’re thrilled to announce that Bowhill Engineering has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious 2025 South Australian Training Awards in the Small Employer of the Year category.

This recognition from the South Australian Skills Commission acknowledges our unwavering commitment to workforce development, apprenticeship training, and building South Australia’s skilled trades workforce.

What Are The SA Training Awards?

The South Australian Training Awards represent the state’s premier recognition programme for excellence in vocational education and training. These awards celebrate outstanding achievements in skills development and apprenticeship programmes.

Why This Recognition Matters?

The Small Employer of the Year Award recognises businesses with fewer than 100 employees that demonstrate outstanding commitment to training their workforce. Being shortlisted is a testament to the fact that our training programs, culture of mentorship, and structured pathways for apprentices and trainees are making a real difference.

We are especially honoured to stand alongside other outstanding businesses that share our belief in the power of training to transform lives and strengthen communities. As a family-owned, regional business, this recognition reinforces our role as not only a metal fabricator in South Australia but also as a place where people grow, learn, and thrive.

Investing in People – Our Greatest Asset

For nearly five decades, Bowhill Engineering has been more than just a workplace. Our story began as a small rural machinery repair shop and has grown into one of South Australia’s most respected names in structural steel fabrication and heavy and complex steel projects. But through all this growth, one thing has never changed – our people remain at the heart of everything we do.

Our Apprenticeship Training Programme

Over the years, we’ve proudly trained more than 40 apprentices who have completed their certificates and are now fully qualified tradespeople. Our apprenticeship training focuses on:

Metal Fabrication Apprenticeships: Providing hands-on experience in structural steel fabrication, welding techniques, and precision engineering work that supports major infrastructure projects across Australia.

Comprehensive Skills Development: Our apprentices gain experience across multiple disciplines, from basic fabrication techniques to complex structural steel engineering projects.

Real-World Experience: Unlike traditional training environments, our apprentices work on actual projects that make a difference to South Australian communities.

Beyond Traditional Training

Our commitment to workforce development extends beyond formal apprenticeship programmes. We provide individual training plans customised to align with each team member’s career aspirations, leadership development programmes that combine technical skills with management capabilities, and maintain a continuous learning culture with regular training opportunities.

Building Regional Opportunities

Being based in Bowhill, South Australia, gives us a unique perspective. Regional businesses like ours often face challenges in attracting and retaining skilled workers. That’s why we are committed to creating local training opportunities that allow young people to build rewarding careers without leaving their communities.

This approach supports not only our workforce needs but also the long-term sustainability of the regional economy. By providing boilermaker jobs, welding apprenticeships, and engineering pathways right here in the Murraylands, we help ensure that South Australia’s regional communities thrive

What Sets Bowhill Apart As A Training Provider?

Our selection as a SA Training Awards finalist reflects several key differentiators in our approach to workforce development:

Family Business Values

As a multi-generational family business, we take a long-term view of employee development. Our training programmes aren’t just about filling immediate skills gaps. They’re about building careers and creating lasting value for our team members.

Industry-Leading Retention

With team members averaging over 5 years of tenure, our training programmes clearly create environments where people want to build their careers. This retention rate demonstrates the effectiveness of our approach to skills development and workplace culture.

Comprehensive Support

Our training goes beyond technical skills to include employee assistance programmes, accommodation assistance helping apprentices relocate for training opportunities, and family-friendly policies recognising that work-life balance is essential for effective learning.

The Awards Ceremony

The 2025 South Australian Training Awards Gala Presentation will take place on Thursday, 25 September 2025, at the Adelaide Convention Centre. This event brings together South Australia’s training and skills development leaders to celebrate excellence and share best practices across industries.

Looking Ahead

Whether we take home the award or not, being named a finalist for Small Employer of the Year is already a win. It’s recognition that our training programs are not only delivering results but also shaping the future of South Australia’s workforce.

As we look ahead, our focus will remain on:

  • Expanding our training capacity to welcome more apprentices and trainees.
  • Leveraging advanced manufacturing technology to provide cutting-edge training experiences.
  • Continuing our commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices that benefit both people and the environment.

We are proud to stand as an example of how a South Australian metal fabricator can lead in both industry performance and community development.

Thank You to Our People

This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our people. From apprentices to long-serving tradespeople, project managers to trainers – everyone at Bowhill has played a role in building the culture of learning that defines us.

We also want to acknowledge the support of our partners, clients, and the wider community. Together, we continue to demonstrate that businesses of all sizes can have a big impact when they invest in training, skills, and people.

Building Tomorrow’s Workforce Today

At Bowhill Engineering, we’ve always said that we build more than just steel structures – we build careers, communities, and futures. Being recognised as a finalist for the 2025 SA Training Awards – Small Employer of the Year is proof of that vision in action.

We look forward to celebrating this achievement at the Gala Dinner in September, and no matter the outcome, we will continue to champion training, opportunity, and excellence in everything we do.

You can read the full Skills Commission announcement and view our finalist profile where we’re proudly listed as one of three nominees for Small Employer of the Year.